OT: Wilco

by almantle on Oct 2, 2007 8:29 PM EDT

Not sure how John ended up with an ad/link (btw - good concert info) for the latest Wilco album on this site, but as a fan of the band, I think it's kind of cool. Wondering what others think of the new album?
I'm enjoying the tunes, finding it a mellow but entertaining effort overall. IMHO, 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is brilliant...also, their DVD "I am trying to break your heart" is about the making of that album, and is an extremely revealing look at band dynamics, and the music industry. Really great stuff.
I've added a poll re: their last 4 albums. And, if you get a chance, they're a great live band!

Poll

Favourite Wilco album

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

42 votes

A ghost is born

6 votes

Live in Chicago

5 votes

Sky Blue Sky

5 votes

58 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Sky Blue Sky

Track for track I think it's dead even with YHF except for Impossible Germany which is the best rock song of the past few years and without a doubt the best song in the Wilco catalogue... Sky Blue Sky gets the nod

by tmsnow on Oct 2, 2007 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

Big Wilco fan

I admit though I haven't gotten into this album yet. I think its better than Ghost, but not as goo as say Being there or Summerteeth. Maybe about even Yankee.

by Bondomania on Oct 2, 2007 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Impossible Germany

What is that song about?

by thefordhamflash on Oct 2, 2007 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

uhm...

Summerteeth? Being There? Some people would rank both of those higher than any of those listed. Summerteeth is my favorite.

by Lt Melmo on Oct 2, 2007 10:17 PM EDT reply actions

+1

Summerteeth, then Hotel, then this one. I didn't like Ghost at all.

by mckeeno on Oct 2, 2007 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Being There

then YHF

I like all of them though, and Mermaid Avenue, and Uncle Tupelo...

I got hooked when I saw Jeff and Jay perform live at a festival outside of Angels Camp 11 years ago.

My wife and I just got Sunken Treasure out from netflix and enjoyed it immensely, a must watch for Wilco fans.

by jakarta on Oct 3, 2007 2:04 AM EDT reply actions

Sky Blue Sky

As someone who feels that Wilco is the best band going right now I was really excited for the new album to come out. However, I too was lukewarm on Sky Blue Sky after my first few listens. But, after seeing the songs live in Redbank, NJ over the summer the album really grew on me.

It is tough to attempt to rank the albums, each is unique in its own way. When I first heard Summerteeth I thought that was the best, same with YHF. So, my feelings might change down the road as I gain more perspective, but right now I'd have to go with Sky Blue Sky as #1 followed by Being There, YHF, Summerteeth, AM & A Ghost is Born. I would also rank the More Like the Moon EP pretty highly as it has a terrific edgy version of "Kamera" and "A Magazine Called Sunset" which is one of my favorite songs.

Great OT thread by the way. Love Jeff and the Boys. Too bad they didn't make anywhere in the Philadelphia area one of their stops on this tour. There is a podcast of a London show on their website thats pretty dynamite though so at least I can take some solace in that. I definately recommend it.

by sprucemoose on Oct 3, 2007 9:20 AM EDT reply actions

rankings

YHF
BT/SBS [tie]

i don't listen to AGIB that often, but i LOVE "sky blue sky." "being there" is impossible to overlook.

by kinbote on Oct 3, 2007 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Every since Jay Bennett left...

They've gone downhill in my book. Yes, I saw the documentary, and I realize he may have been a jerk and that he and Tweedy couldn't work together any longer.

But there was a real evolution of the sound from A.M. to Being There to Summerteeth to YHF. Each disc sounded a logical progression from one to the next.

Then Ghost came out, and I wasn't a big fan of the "deconstructed sound". I understand that some sort of musical retrenchment was necessary (if they had taken YHF one step farther they would have had their heads disappear up their nether regions a la Radiohead), but the tunes just weren't there and it was too jam band-ish.

Sky Blue Sky is IMHO an improvement, but not up to the standard of YHF and before, kind of a "dead cat bounce". Most of these songs would have made great complimentary tracks on Being There, but nothing ever jumped out at me. The last two discs seem to be Tweedy without any checks and balances (notice how only John Stirratt has survived all the band purges, and I prefer his Autumn Defense records these days to Wilco's). Bennett may have been a jerk, but at least he was a counterweight to Tweedy and a partner almost as talented. For those who loved Summerteeth, make sure you grab his first solo disc (actually with Ed Burch), titled The Palace at 4AM. His next couple of discs were so-so, but last year's The Magnificent Defeat was pretty good.

by Steve F on Oct 3, 2007 2:54 PM EDT reply actions